Abstract: A tape head cleaner cartridge for receipt in a tape machine having a magnetic tape head and comprising a cartridge housing for supporting a cleaning pad that is supported by and operated from a lever. The lever may be manually operated to cause the cleaning pad to transition across the tape head in direction of tape travel. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the cartridge supports both a magnetic head cleaning pad and a capstan cleaning pad. A dispenser is provided for a plurality of cleaning pads. A kit is provided for containing the cartridge, dispenser and cleaning fluid.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method is described for recording a pattern of track positioning servo signals at select locations of a magnetic tape for use in aligning a single track read head with each of the tracks defined by the signal pattern. The pattern is provided by recording two different signals with two write heads so that the signals are recorded as alternating strips. The differences between the two signals are then used to define the each track center.

Abstract: A tape head cleaner cartridge for receipt in a tape machine having a magnetic tape head and comprising a cartridge housing for supporting a cleaning pad that is supported by and operated from a lever. The lever may be manually operated to cause the cleaning pad to transition across the tape head in direction of tape travel. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the cartridge supports both a magnetic head cleaning pad and a capstan cleaning pad. A dispenser is provided for a plurality of cleaning pads. A kit is provided for containing the cartridge, dispenser and cleaning fluid.

Abstract: A method of aligning a tape head with the use of a calibration head that is adapted to produce a calibration tape having a pair of spacedly disposed write signals extending substantially normal to the direction of tape travel but at opposite small equal angles to the normal. The calibration tape is passed over the tape head that is to be aligned. The calibration tape is read to detect sequential write signals to determine differences in amplitude therebetween so that the azimuth of the tape head may be adjusted until the detected write signals are of equal amplitude.

Abstract: A tape drive calibration meter that is adapted to display a number of calculated parameters for providing a numerical display of such conditions as skew, tape velocity, amplitude, and tape tracking. The tape drive calibration meter preferably has two inputs on two separate channels with each including an automatic gain control amplifier and a peak detector. Time interval measurement circuitry is coupled from the peak detector for carrying out measurements involving velocity and skew. After amplification, the detected signals on one of the channels are also transferred along a second path including a peak, follow and hold circuit and an analog-to-digital converter circuit with controls. Amplitude measurements and head positioning computations are taken by signals transferred along the second path to the peak, follow and hold circuitry and analog-to-digital conversion circuitry.

Abstract: A position reference system is disclosed which provides an indication of the amount of mistracking of a magnetic head while the latter is stationed in its normal operating environment. The system is also capable of providing an indication of the spacing tolerances of a multi-core head. A special tracking medium is recorded against which the position of the head is compared. The sensitivity of the disclosed system permits a determination of mistracking as well as corrective adjustments to be made against visual observation only.